Prospective Trainees

Information for Prospective Trainees

Introduction

Find out more about the specialty of O&G (obstetrics and gynaecology), including the different levels of practice available to medical graduates in Australia and New Zealand.

Read about the lives of some obstetricians and gynaecologists, GP Obstetricians and trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology and find out why it's such a diverse and rewarding profession

The RANZCOG also produces many publications including the quarterly magazine O&G and a range of educational publications / handbooks that offer insight into the training process and the specialty as a whole.

Applications for Specialist Training

Each year applications are invited from suitably qualified medical graduates for entry to the specialist training program.

Applications for training in New Zealand open 8 March 2010 and close 9 April 2010. Applications for all Australian States open 24 May 2010 and close 28 June 2010. More

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

For the statement of principles, eligibility criteria and selection criteria on which the RANZCOG trainee selection process is based, click on the document below.

Trainee Eligibility & Selection Criteria ( 41 KB)

How to Apply

All applications must be made using the standard RANZCOG Application/CV online form. If you have any specific questions regarding the selection process you should contact the relevant RANZCOG office in each state or New Zealand.

The application form is a web-based document and must be completed and submitted online. There is a specific form for each state or region, however, each form contains the same general information and questions, the only variation being the ITP training sites. Only 1 application/CV form can be submitted for each state, this format is the only acceptable application method.

Applications for O&G Integrated Training Program

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Trainees who have been selected for the Integrated Training Program (ITP) and have obtained an accredited first-year training position may be eligible to apply to have some previous training recognised toward the specialist training program – subject to the approval of the RANZCOG RPL Assessment Subcommittee. Note: Only trainees who fit one of the four categories specificed are eligible for RPL. For the RPL policy, click on the document below.

RPL applications must be submitted as soon as possible after the trainee has accepted a place in the ITP and before commencement of training. Deadline for submission of RPL applications for new trainees starting the ITP in 2010 (or December 2009 in New Zealand): no later than 5 pm Thursday 15 October 2010. Applications will not be accepted after this date.

For information on how to apply, contact the Training Services Manager at College House.

RPL Policy Document ( 38 KB)

The Specialty of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

What do Obstetricians & Gynaecologists do?

Obstetrics and gynaecology are specialist branches of medicine and although they are each concerned with separate aspects of the health care of women, they are usually merged into the one service.

Obstetricians provide medical care before, during and after childbirth. Gynaecologists diagnose, treat and aid in the prevention of disorders of the female reproductive system.

Obstetricians and gynaecologists perform the following tasks:

• carry out gynaecological examinations, diagnosis and operations on women referred to them by general practitioners, discuss contraceptive methods with their patients and prescribe suitable contraception;
• examine pregnant women throughout their pregnancies to ensure that they are progressing well and that good health is maintained, and advise and treat pregnant women for special health conditions brought about by their pregnancy;
• deliver babies through normal procedures or by caesarean section;
• examine mothers and babies after childbirth to ensure there are no complications or, if there are, refer them to other specialists, such as to paediatricians (children's doctors); and
• treat infertility by chemical or operative measures.

Why Specialise in O&G?

The involvement in obstetrics and gynaecology in the delivery of women's health care is considerably diverse. The role of the "specialist" obstetrician and gynaecologist is critical to the ongoing care of the women and children of Australia and New Zealand. The maintenance of high standards within the discipline is of the utmost importance. The specialist has the ability to practise obstetrics and gynaecology and some aspects of medicine and surgery and neonatal paediatrics and to play a pivotal role in the care and maintenance of women's health in Australia and New Zealand.

The need for research and development in obstetrics and gynaecology is also of the utmost importance and the College encourages its Trainees to enter the world of academic obstetrics and gynaecology. The academic obstetrician and gynaecologist is able to function at the cutting edge of new developments within the specialty.

The College recognises the following subspecialty areas in obstetrics and gynaecology: Gynaecological Oncology, Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Urogynaecology. Each of the subspecialty areas provides a most fulfilling and enriching career More

The "specialist interest" areas such as menopause, counselling, family planning, genetic counselling, colposcopy and endoscopic surgery also provide satisfying additional interests to the general practitioner.

As in other branches of medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology is facing ever increasing areas of subspecialisation and special interest and the breadth of interest should challenge any Trainee entering specialist training in obstetrics and gynaecology.

More Information About O&G

Of all the medical specialties, obstetrics and gynaecology offers the greatest range of potential interests. It offers not only the chance to practise one of the few arts of medicine (manipulative obstetrics), but the surgical skills of operative gynaecology (including minimally invasive surgery), the practice of internal medicine, endocrinology, neonatal paediatrics, oncology and medical imaging, to mention the major areas involved in the day to day practice of an obstetrician and gynaecologist More (242KB)

Want to find out more? Download the PDF below which contains

• an introduction to O&G
• discusses the levels of practice available
  • general practitioner obstetrics and office gynaecology
  • specialist obstetrics and gynaecology
  • subspecialist obstetrics and gynaecology
• outlines the practicalities of establishing a practice.

Don't miss the chapter entitled - 'Look / try before you buy' !

Levels of Practice

The RANZCOG offers a number of different training programs in the discipline of obstetrics and gynaecology

Membership/Fellowship Training

The RANZCOG Training Program is a 72 - month structured post-graduate program which leads first to certification as a Member (MRANZCOG) of the College and then to elevation to Fellowship of the College (FRANZCOG). Fellowship of RANZCOG is the only post-graduate qualification which leads to recognition as a specialist obstetrician/ gynaecologist in Australia or New Zealand More

Subspecialty Training

Subspecialty Certificate qualifications available through the College reflect additional training in particular areas of practice.

The Subspecialty programs include:

• Certification in Gynaecological Oncology (CGO)
• Certification in Maternal-Fetal Medicine (CMFM)
• Certification in Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound (COGU)
• Certification in Reproductive Ednocrinology and Infertility (CREI)
• Certification in Urogynaecology (CU)

More

How to apply

GP Diploma (DRANZCOG) Training

This is a diploma qualification for general practitioners who wish to obtain further post-graduate training in obstetrics and gynaecology More

Advanced GP Diploma (DRANZCOG Advanced)

This qualification builds upon the skills acquired during DRANZCOG training. In particular, to train candidates in the additional skill of safe, elective and emergency caesarean section. It is most relevant to the work of rural GPs

More

Application Process & Dates

Membership / Fellowship Training

Residents or junior doctors who are interested in joining the Integrated Training Program should obtain an application form from the relevant New Zealand or Regional Committee. Please note that the dates for submission of applications varies slightly from state to state and in New Zealand. More

Applicants are then contacted by their respective New Zealand or Regional Committee for interview in August / September. The successful applicants commence the first year of training in January of the following year.

Diploma Training

Residents or junior doctors who are interested in applying for the Diploma should submit the relevant application form, together with the necessary documents, to College House.

Subspecialty Training

MRANZCOG/FRANZCOG trainees and Fellows of the RANZCOG wishing to undertake subspecialty training must apply through the National Selection Process. More

A Diverse and Rewarding Profession

What do O&Gs do?

Why young doctors should consider a career in O&G More
( 36 KB )

What's it like to be a Trainee in obstetrics and gynaecology?
More ( 61KB )

A Trainee perspective on the new College Curriculum More
( 61KB)

Read about Dr Deena Case's experiences at Cairns Base Hospital undertaking the DRANZCOG Advanced More
( 190 KB)

Read about the experiences of a Trainee working in the area of Aboriginal women’s health More ( 277KB)

O&G, the College's quarterly news-feature magazine, is available online and is packed with current issues in obstetrics and gynaecology and updates on College activities More

© RANZCOG